A career with the Forest Service will challenge you to manage and care for more than 193 million acres of our nation's most magnificent lands, conduct research through a network of forest and range experiment stations and the Forest Products Laboratory, and provide assistance to State and private forestry agencies.

It's an awesome responsibility - but the rewards are as limitless as the views.

This is a term, time-limited appointment with an initial duration no less than 13 months and can be extended up to a total of 4 years.

This position is located on the Plumas National Forest, Mt Hough Ranger District. For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Colin Dillingham (530) 283-7687.

This position is located on a Forest Service unit. The incumbent serves as a professional wildlife biologist in the administration of the wildlife habitat and related coordination with other resources. Incumbent provides guidance and assistance for the protection, management, and improvement of wildlife habitat within the framework of multiple-use management of forest and range lands.

The USDA Forest Service has legislative authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional), Temporary, and Term Appointments under the USDA Demonstration Project. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply. KEY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
Males born after 12/3/59 must be registered with the Selective Service. DUTIES:

Provides technical advice and leadership for a wildlife management program. This includes gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to determine wildlife habitat requirements and management needs; assessing habitat quality and quantity, interpreting biological requirements for all wildlife species and their habitat; inventorying and monitoring habitat and in some cases populations.

Performs specific portions or minor phases of assignments in support of Integrated Resource Inventory (IRI) activities. Incumbent prepares field data to be digitized; digitizes data and processes data for use in geographic information systems (GIS). Documents field procedures and office methodologies produced by IRI team to develop information on IRI data layers.

Works cooperatively with State wildlife resource agencies. Coordinates wildlife management with timber, grazing, minerals and recreation and other resource programs. This includes gathering information for wildlife management plans, surveys of game and nongame occurrence, mapping key game for suitability, determination of annual browse utilization and/or amount of soil disturbance, joint recommendations for annual game harvest, and the need for wildlife habitat development or restoration.

Participates in wildlife monitoring program activities by making observations, gathering data, and reporting findings. Gathers information to be used in environmental assessments and environmental impact statements affecting wildlife resources. Develops plans for information and education activities in wildlife conservation. Responsible for assigned areas of public relation activities, such as speaking at meetings and participating in field trips QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

You must possess the Basic Requirements identified below to be considered eligible for this position. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the appropriate experience requirements.

Bachelor's Degree: biological science that included at least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and at least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology, parasitology, entomology, or research courses in such subjects (Excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology requirements where appropriate.); and at least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

OR

Combination of education and experience -- equivalent to a major in biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least 9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology, and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

In addition to the basic requirements, the following additional education and/or experience are qualifying. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Your application or resume must clearly show that you possess the specialized experience requirements. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

GS-9: one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level; or 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree (coursework directly related to the position being filled); and/or a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.

Specialized experience: Served as an advanced trainee specializing in wildlife biology and performs common qualitative and quantitative analyses of wildlife resources; conducts surveys and drafts tentative professional opinions to assist in determining wildlife resource needs and remedies; and/or assists in carrying out a range of analytical/scientific assignments in the wildlife biology profession that includes researching and analyzing data, issues, and information that support wildlife project recommendations.

To receive consideration for this position, you must meet all qualifications requirements as of the closing date of the announcement.

REQUIREMENTS:
May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary period or trial period.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:
You will be evaluated in accordance with the category rating procedure as defined in the USDA Demonstration Project Plan. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements established for the position will be placed in the Eligible category. Eligible applicants will be further evaluated against criteria for placement in the Quality category. This evaluation is based on the level of your experience, education, and/or training as determined by your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire. Applicants with veterans’ preference are listed ahead of applicants who do not have veterans’ preference within each category.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the “Apply Online” button to the right.

BENEFITS:
The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/Interactive/Benefits#icc

. OTHER INFORMATION:
Relocation expenses are not authorized.

This is a bargaining unit designated position.

Career Transition Assistance Plan(CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, provide proof of eligibility. CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must meet the agency's definition for a quality candidate to be considered. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp .

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.